Meyer Hatchery Chicken pics anyone??

[autumnhearth]

It's Meijer Chick Birthday Monday again!!

And I have pics of my two newest chicks. Hm, I suppose I should go outside and take pics of the older girls...

Here is Ella, the Partridge Plymouth Rock, with her friend Poppyseed, the Sweetgrass Turkey:



And here is Highness, the Sicilian Buttercup:


We have had a setback with Highness.

Saturday night I noticed when I put her back into the brooder after a snuggle session, that she could not walk or stand. At first I thought I must have inadvertently hurt her while holding her on my lap. But the more I searched about leg or paralysis problems, I really only found information about diseases, or just failing to thrive, not anything about getting injured. I made a thread and asked about it, and one person said it was probably not due to the snuggling. I think she must have been developing the problem already, but I only noticed it when I put her back and expected her to walk off my hand and run around the brooder.

Since then, I have been trying to syringe feed her parakeet hand rearing formula as well as drinks of probiotic+electrolyte water. I also keep adding a pile of her feed in front of where she is laying. She does peck at that, so that must be why she hasn't starved to death yet. I really don't think I have been able to get enough sustenance down her with my syringe. Baby chickens are just not built for hand feeding. I don't know how she can survive this way. She can move her legs a little more today, but I fear that even if she lives, these past two days of low nutrition will cause her to have developmental problems. I guess I will keep trying to feed her, and wait to see what happens. On threads I have seen with similar problems, the chicks did not make it.

The store where I got her is checking with Meyer to see if they can send me another SB from their overhatch this week. Or maybe next week. It would be nice if she lives and I have two, but I really hope I can at least have one. I have gotten really attached to this breed in the 5 days that I have had Highness. (Oh- and I have gotten super attached to Ella, too. I absolutely love her soft dark velvety brown head!)

Fingers crossed for your little Buttercup. Ella and Poppyseed are pretty girls too. Do you know if the store that you got them from have Meyer vaccinate for Mareks?

 

[Poultrybonkers]

Hmmm.  Are you sure it's not a polish?  What are the noticeable differences?

The difference is polish dont come all black this chick is solid black.
Heres my chick. Looks like its feathers are half combed while the front is messy

 

[autumnhearth]

Sounds like Meyer has some issues with their Polish breeding program if there are all black and all white chicks hatching. Sultan came to mind for the white but they have feathered feet. I can see where it looks like a Crev with the crest slicked back like that. Interesting these were both in the adopt me program as opposed to from someone ordered a specific Polish. Very curious.

 

[TiaRC]

Sounds like Meyer has some issues with their Polish breeding program if there are all black and all white chicks hatching. Sultan came to mind for the white but they have feathered feet. I can see where it looks like a Crev with the crest slicked back like that. Interesting these were both in the adopt me program as opposed to from someone ordered a specific Polish. Very curious.

I have confirmed that it is a solid white. I called Meyer and asked if there was any chance of a white and they said no and I sent them I picture. They called me back and ask for more picture I sent them and they wanted the chick back!!! I didn't want to send it. So they refunded my money for the whole bunch I bought and paid for its postage to get there next day. They called me today to confirm it was alive and well. And thanked me gratuitously. I guess we may see some solid white polish next year lol

 

[ShrekDawg]

I have confirmed that it is a solid white. I called Meyer and asked if there was any chance of a white and they said no and I sent them I picture. They called me back and ask for more picture I sent them and they wanted the chick back!!! I didn't want to send it. So they refunded my money for the whole bunch I bought and paid for its postage to get there next day. They called me today to confirm it was alive and well. And thanked me gratuitously. I guess we may see some solid white polish next year lol

Ya should've! maybe they'd credit or pay you! LOL

Kidding of course since I completely understand not wanting to give the little guy back but wow that's awesome lol

 

[Finnie]

Fingers crossed for your little Buttercup. Ella and Poppyseed are pretty girls too. Do you know if the store that you got them from have Meyer vaccinate for Mareks?

Thank you.

That's a good question. I'll have to ask them.

 

[Finnie]

I have confirmed that it is a solid white. I called Meyer and asked if there was any chance of a white and they said no and I sent them I picture. They called me back and ask for more picture I sent them and they wanted the chick back!!! I didn't want to send it. So they refunded my money for the whole bunch I bought and paid for its postage to get there next day. They called me today to confirm it was alive and well. And thanked me gratuitously. I guess we may see some solid white polish next year lol

That's really cool. Not that you had to send it back, but that they wanted it so badly.

 

[TiaRC]

They can defiantly pin point genes for breeders better than me so yes I figured I would just watch to see what they do with him lol or her

 

[hyzenthlay]

Finnie, I'm sorry to hear about Highness! I hope she pulls through!!

KDGG, I second what Autumnhearth said about starting with one of each breed! That way you can try out more and not max out your flock size right off. I have had the buff orp, barred rock, SLW, and EEs from Meyer, and would recommend any of them. From that group, my buff orp was the friendliest and most outgoing, the EEs are probably the best layers. The SLW has been a steady layer (6 years old and still going strong), but not the most prolific of the bunch. I have never had problems with any of these girls picking on each other or being aggressive.

In other news, I got my first set of new chicks today!! To recap from a previous post, I was supposed to be getting a Dorking and a Cuckoo Marans today, and have a Welsummer, a Buff Orp, and a Black Australorp coming next month. Well, they multiplied before they got here. I was recently able to add a Blue Laced Red Wyandotte to my June order (thrilled! I have wanted one for years, and they were sold out by the time I placed my order this spring), and then today, while we were in the car on the way to the hatchery, I saw that they had added a few Blue Ameraucanas the the "available now" list. Eek! They were at the top of my "gee I wish they weren't sold out" list after the BLRW, so I added one of those as well! So, that's a grand total of 7 new chicks, and our little flock of 4 will be a flock of 11 by next month. Oops. I almost pulled a Light Brahma out of the Adopt Me bin this morning too (SO cute!), but I somehow managed to restrain myself. Have to delay some pleasure so I still have a favorite breed to look forward to next time.

My three little girls were a little sleepy today and I didn't get the best pictures yet, but here's what I have:

The Dorking



The Cuckoo Marans



Our little surprise sweetcheeks, the Blue Ameraucana





Action shot!




Still working on names here, I'll have to update with those when ready.

 

[hyzenthlay]

Also, to KDOGG331, looking for pics of Meyer's adult birds, I have a few handy here:

The current group:


Chamomile, my 6 year old EE



Chamomile with Tiger Lily, our 2 year old EE


Mrs. Fig, our 6 year old SLW



Mrs. Fig and Chamomile



Mrs. Fig with Pansy, our 2 year old barred rock